Advice / Enquiries
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Post 17 Recent Post from one of our readers - 28/02/2013 Name: Danielle Lancaster email address? daniellelancaster 'at' live.co.uk - Click here Message? Hi, I am interested in joining the amateur dramatics club as i enjoy acting but i need to gain experience in acting. As i am confident but i need to build up my confidence so i can do acting in front of an audience. I would like to know how to get involved with the amateur dramatics and where it is located. You can get in touch with me by this email at any time. I am currently located in St Helens. Thanks Danielle Lancaster Peter's response: Hi Danielle, Thanks for your email. www.dramagroups.com isn't actually a Drama Group it is an online portal to allow Drama Groups and the amdram community to advertise themselves their shows, auditions, events, scripts, reviews, etc. You don't say in your email where you are located but the best advice I can give you is to take a look at the 'Groups' section of the Drama Groups website and make contact with some amateur groups that are near to you. I'm sure you will find that any group will welcome you with open arms just give them a call or drop them an email. I'll put your request up in our 'Advice' section and perhaps a group local to you will contact you directly. Do let me know how you get on. Best Wishes, Peter Would you like to comment on this? contact'at'dramagroups.com |
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Post 16 Recent Post from one of our readers - 03/01/2013 Name: Liz McCoy email address? lizredbrick 'at' gmail.com - Click here Message? Hello there! I am working with eight lovely year 10 ladies from Colston's Girls' School in Bristol, and I am helping them find opportunities to gain experience in areas of interest to them. Two of my ladies (and possibly more) are very keen to find out more about all things theatre and drama (not to mention the benefits to their confidence), so are there any opportunities for them to get involved with anything that's going on with you? I hope to hear from you soon! Many thanks, Liz McCoy Employability Consultant www.redbrickfutures.co.uk 07916 298524 Peter's response: Hi Liz, I'm afraid that www.dramagroups.com is not a drama group it is a portal for drama groups to share their information with the public and each other. The best advice I can give you is to take a look at our 'Groups', 'Bristol' page where you will find a number of drama groups based in and around Bristol. Try contacting them directly. I'm sure any and all of them will welcome your ladies with open arms. All drama groups are in the position where there can never be enough people to help. Do let me know how you get on. Best Wishes, Peter Would you like to comment on this? contact'at'dramagroups.com Liz's response: Hi Peter, Thank you very much for this information - I will try to contact as many groups as possible, and will keep you updated on our progress! Many thanks, Liz McCoy Would you like to comment on this? contact'at'dramagroups.com |
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Post 15 Recent Post from one of our readers - 30/01/2013 Name: Barbara Roisman Cooper email address? peninc1'at'aol.com - Click here Message? Hello, For my next book, Great Britons of Stage and Screen: In Conversation, I interviewed Sir Ben Kingsley. He told me, as a young performer, he was a member of a theatrical group called The Salford Players, but I am unable to find a reference to that group. Can someone tell me if that was the correct name of the group? Or was it called something else at the time, probably late '50s. Any assistance would be most appreciated. Sincerely, Barbara Roisman Cooper Peter's response: Hello Barbara, The only reference I can find to The Salford Players is within the website below which refers to Salford Arts Theatre and The Salford Players http://www.sponsume.com/project/salford-arts-theatre I can only assume that The Salford Players no longer exists or is now subsumed into the Arts Theatre. I hope this helps but just in case anyone out there has more information I'll post your query in our 'Advice' section in the hope that someone will make contact with you through the Drama Groups website. Regards, Peter Would you like to comment on this? contact'at'dramagroups.com |
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Post 14 Recent Post from one of our readers - 28/11/2012 Name: Amanda Newton email address? mandanewton'at'hotmail.co.uk - Click here Message? Are children welcome to join? Hello, I am looking for a amateur dramatic group for my eight year old home educated daughter. She does have a rare illness but she poses no risk to anyone. She is desperate to join so that she can learn how to act and also how a production is put together. We as parents are hoping it will improve her confidence and help her to find herself. Sadly she has had to overcome many adversities as people are often ignorant. We want her to have the opportunity to do something she really wants to without her health being a issue. I really appreciate your help and hope to hear from you soon. Kind regards Amanda PS I should point out she has no behavioural or social difficulties. Peter's response: Dear Amanda, Thank you for your email, with your permission I shall publish it in the 'Advice' section of the www.dramagroups.com website, hopefully others may read it and be able to offer you some help in your desire to find a Group that your daughter can join. As far as I am concerned I'm afraid I can only offer you limited assistance. All of my contacts and knowledge of amateur dramatic groups and societies is already published on the website. You don't say in your email where you are located but the best advice I can give you is to look up on www.dramagroups.com the county or region where you live and make contact with the individual groups who are listed. Many of them have their own website and email addresses or telephone numbers detailed. I'm sure you will find an amdram group or perhaps a Drama School that will be able to help you. Do let me know how you get on. With very best wishes, Peter Would you like to comment on this? contact'at'dramagroups.com |
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Post 13 Recent Post from one of our readers - 15/11/2012 Name: Peter Sheeran email address? peterjsheeran'at'gmail.com - Click here Message? A sorcers tale Hi I am looking for a dvd or tape of the play.any ideas where I could get it ? Peter's response: Hi Peter, I guess you've tried Amazon? They seem to have most things. There is a link to Amazon on the Drama Groups website it might be worth a try. Failing that I suggest that you find out who the Publisher is for the play and contact them to see if there is a recording in existence. I shall place your request for help in the Advice section and the Notice Board section of www.dramagroups.com in the hope that one of our readers may be able to offer more help than I. Best Wishes, Peter Would you like to comment on this? contact'at'dramagroups.com |
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Post 2 A recent post from Jane Hilliard of West Moors Drama Society in Dorset. Jane is a playwright as well as performing and directing with her local Drama Group. In answer to my plea Jane agreed to give us all some advice as to how all us budding authors could make a start on creating and publishing a play. Jane's advice is interesting and informative, if anyone would like to add further advice or comment on this piece please email contact'at'dramagroups.com Quoting Post 2 I wrote my first full length play 'THE BOOBYTRAP' in 2004 and my Drama group presented it in 2005,since then I have written several shorts and one more full length piece all of which have been performed locally. Being an active member of the Drama group for many years,both acting and Directing,I had,as you can imagine,read many scripts so the format of writing a play was very familiar to me. I would advise anyone thinking of writing a play to read several scripts first. Script writing is quite different to storytelling as there is no need for descriptive passages....just dialogue and clear stage directions (I write these in italics) Before starting to write I usually have an idea of the plot, beginning and the end of a play.... also it's genre, although this often changes as the ideas begin to flow. It's important to decide the length of the piece I am working on...A short piece can be extended if the plot and the characters seem to warrant it..but it is difficult to know which bits to delete if it seems to 'ramble'! Once I am satisfied a piece is finished...the editing begins...very important! This can take some time and I have to control myself before I find I've rewritten the whole play! Finally,I spell check it very carefully...Spelling mistakes leap out from the written page and can interrupt the flow for the reader. Presentation is very important,therefore I make sure my scripts have...... A clear list of Characters (Their persona and their approximate ages) A precise synopsis of the plot A paragraph describing the stage setting A detailed props list,the acts in which they appear and the characters who will require them. Any sound,lighting or special effects and the pages on which they appear. I'm pleased to say the production of my play was a success and this inspired me to send it to several publishing companies in the hope they would find it interesting .I was quite prepared for disappointment and it was politely declined by one or two,but,they did write me nice letters with suggestions as to how the play may be improved,which I found very helpful. I wasn't downhearted because I know how difficult it is to get a play published but I didn't give up and in 2009 Jasper publications accepted it. There are several publishing companies who are very encouraging to new writers...The Internet is a useful tool to find them. Almost all companies prefer to receive scripts via the Internet. I found Jasper publishing to be very friendly and encouraging...not at all daunting. So,My advice to any playwright would be... Don't be discouraged ...keep trying and keep writing....It's very therapeutic! Jane Hilliard Posted on 20/05/2010 Thank you, Jane - I found your advice very helpful. I will contact Jasper Publishing and hope for success. Best wishes, Robin Miller robinjenni'at'hotmail.com Posted on 26/10/2012 Would you like to comment on this? Click Here or email contact'at'dramagroups.com Quoting Post 2 |
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Post 12 Recent Post from one of our readers - 15/10/2012 Name: Roger Davis email address? rwdavis'at'axxess.co.za - Click here Message? Free script for Amateur Dramatic Group We are just forming an amateur theatrical group in the town of Plettenberg Bay in South Africa and we are hoping that there are free scripts available for am dram groups. We are looking for free scripts for single scene plays, preferably a comedy whodunnit. Any proceeds that we should make will be donated to the Plettenberg Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). I trust that you can help with the information required. Bitou Amateur Theatrical Society (BATS) Peter's response: Hi Roger, Thanks for your email. If you would like to take a look in the 'Scripts' section of the Drama Groups website you will find that a number of authors offer scripts to amateur dramatic groups royalty free. I suggest you take a look there and make contact with the authors directly. Once you get your group up and running please do let me have details and I'll list you in our International section. It's not all that big at the moment but we are hoping to grow it significantly in the future. I'll place your request in the 'Advice' section of the website in the hope that some authors may contact you directly or that some of our visitors may be able to let you have details of scripts they have used to good effect. Best Wishes, Peter Would you like to comment on this? contact'at'dramagroups.com |
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Post 11 Recent Post from one of our readers - 26/09/2012 Name: Jim Thomson email address? keirhill'at'globalnet.co.uk - Click here Message? New to this ‘game’ and wondered if you could recommend any ‘economical’ rehearsal spaces (evening) in Glasgow – just a basic small hall would be fine for this cast of 12. With thanks Jim Thomson Peter's response: Hi Jim, I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the Glasgow area so I'm not going to be of much use. I'll place your request in the 'Advice' and 'Notice Board' pages of the www.dramagroups.com website this morning and hopefully someone out there will be able to help you out. Do let me know how you get on. Best Wishes Peter Would you like to comment on this? Click Here |
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Post 10 Recent Post from one of our readers - 16/09/2012 Name: Jim Thomson email address? keirhill'at'globalnet.co.uk - Click here Message? Sorry to parachute this in out of the blue but I am new to the 'amdram' business and would appreciate some specific advice. We need to audition for parts six male 16/17 year olds for an amateur play (Glasgow area) and wondered how to go about this. Does this age-group require supervision (e.g. for travel). What happens re. expenses (i.e. Do they pay this themselves?)? Would they expect some sort of fee (although I'm guessing that wouldn't be amateur then!) With thanks Jim Thomson Peter's response: Hello Jim, First of all I'm no expert in this area, although several years ago I did go through this thought process and made some inroads into understanding the legislation that covers young people in 'Groups'. I shall post your question in the 'Advice' section of www.dramagroups.com and hope that someone with more recent experience will be able to give you better or more up-to-date advice. I have to put in a disclaimer here in that my advice is a personal opinion only. I am not a lawyer and do not have any more than a rudimentary knowledge gained from my own researches, please do not take my opinion as gospel check out any potential actions with a professional before deciding what you will do. What I found was that the age restriction on young people under 16 years of age is: - the Group must provide a chaperone during rehearsals and during performances. - changing facillities must be separate from adults and of course separate between the genders. - the young persons must be registered with the local council - a Doctor's certificate must be provided for each child - presumably stating that they are fit - there is a cost involved here - the Group's insurance must cover them during rehearsals and performances - there are other rules applying by age to the number of hours they are allowed to work, etc but I'm afraid I didn't get that far into the research. Quite a few groups do declare themselves as taking people 16+ only and I guess that's because the process of including children is too onerous, certainly that's what my own group decided. As far as expenses are concerned I don't believe they are any rules to follow. It is not incumbent on the Group to provide travelling or any other expenses although there's nothing to stop you doing that. Payment for performance is again up to you but as you say it certainly doesn't fit in with the concept of amateur. Personally I've never know that to happen, the only people we pay is musicians for rehearsal and/or production. I hope that's of some use to you and I hope that others may provide a better view of current legislation. Best Regards, Peter Would you like to comment on this? Click Here 17/09/2012 Thank you so much for that very full and helpful answer. Jim Thomson |
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Post 9 Recent Post from one of our readers - 06/08/2012 Name: Matthew Eaton email address? mathew.eaton@hotmail.co.uk - Click here Message? I have just moved to Manchester. I was wondering if you could tell me which are the four biggest drama groups here as the list I have found is as big as the yellow pages so I don't know where to begin. Any help you could provide would be great. Is there perhaps someone you could recommend. Kind Regards Matt Peter's response: Hi Matthew, I'm afraid I don't know which are the four biggest groups in the area as I'm not local to Manchester and I'm not able to recommend any one group over the others. The best I can suggest is that you review the groups listed, look at their websites directly and then make contact with a few that you think are the closest match to the sort of group you're interested in. I'm sure all of the groups in Manchester would welcome a new member especially a male as they are hard to come by! I'll publish your request in the 'Advice' section of the www.dramagroups.com website and hopefully someone from the area will be able to give you some recommendation based on personal experience. Very Best of luck, do let me know how it goes and which group you end up joining. Peter Would you like to comment on this? Click Here |
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Post 8 Recent Post from one of our readers - 14/07/2012 Name: Mrs. F. Franklin email address? email Message? I am looking to return to the world of "work", my last child just about to go around the world and then uni. I have a background of working in the National Health Service and the Education. Would it possible for you to put me in contact with any groups that might require someone in the role of assistant, attendant, escort of anyone to theatre auditions etc. I have full references and have current criminal record check as I am attached to a local school in the capacity of invigilator. I would be most grateful for any information you might have on this matter. Many thanks Mrs. F. Franklin Peter's response: Dear Mrs Franklin, Thank you for your email, with your permission I shall publish it in our 'Advice' section on the www.dramagroups.com website, hopefully others may read it and be able to offer you some help in your desire to return to work. As far as I am concerned I'm afraid I can only offer you limited assistance. All of my contacts and knowledge of amateur dramatic groups and societies is already published on the website. You don't say in your email where you are located but the best advice I can give you is to look up on www.dramagroups.com the county or region where you live and make contact with the individual groups who are listed. Many of them have their own website and email addresses or telephone numbers detailed. I'm sure all amdram groups would welcome the sort of 'help' you would be able to offer although in my experience I doubt whether most would be able to offer anything but unpaid work as most societies struggle to meet ongoing costs. Still, even an unpaid role would certainly get you back into mixing and dealing with people and handling the ongoing problems associated with keeping a group and production on the road. Do let me know how you get on. With very best wishes, Very Best Wishes, Peter Would you like to comment on this? Click Here |
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Post 7 Recent Post from one of our readers - 22/02/2012 Name: Ruth McCullough email address? email Message? My name is Ruth McCullough, and I am a graduate student of Fine and Applied Creative Art from Belfast, Northern Ireland. I am involved with a drama group here called The Holywood Players, and I also perform with another local group called the St Bart Players. I have toured around Ireland on several festivals and performed in many plays as lead and supporting roles, and also I have helped back-stage with make up, props and costume. This year I am taking a gap year and I am hoping to travel to Australia. I am enquiring as to whether you would have any information on the drama groups in Australia, how to join one, and if there is any paid work at all. I am trying to arrange a job/groups/volunteer work before I come over so I can not only support myself but make friends. And most importantly to keep performing and doing what I love most :) Any information you could help me with would be extremely appreciated! Regards, Ruth McCullough. Peter's response: Dear Ruth, Thank you very much for your enquiry. Drama Groups does have a few groups listed in the ‘Groups’, ‘Australia’ page but not I expect as many or in the locations you may need. However, you may want to take a look and make some enquiries from those groups that are listed. Drama folk are usually very friendly and I’m sure will help you find groups in the area of Australia that you are proposing to visit. For myself I’m afraid I have very little experience of life in Australia, most of it third hand. With your permission I will post your enquiry on our ‘Advice’ page with your email address and perhaps you will get some more knowledgeable person who will be able to offer you some support. Please do let me know how you get on and keep in touch once you are in ‘OZ’. Very Best Wishes, Peter Would you like to comment on this? Click Here |
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Post 6 Recent Post from one of our readers Name: Laura email address? email Message? I'm e-mailing on behalf of Stage Direct, a Norfolk theatre group you placed on your site. I really appreciate you adding us to your site as any publicity and interest we can get is always beneficial. I was just wondering if it is possible to e-mail you or to create some way of being able to get additional events and details added to your site at various points in the future? Also is there anything we should or could be doing to maintain a level of interest for our group on your site and else where? Any information and advice you can offer would be most appreciated. Many Thanks Stage Direct Peter's response: Hi Laura, If you take a look at the www.dramagroups.com website you’ll find that there are opportunities to email details of: Forthcoming Shows; Auditions and Events that your Group may be holding, also you can advertise for Props and Costumes either for sale or wanted; Off/Backstage requirements; Music/Lyrics/Backing Tracks; Reviews. There are also Advice columns and Articles and a Notice Board where you can post anything not covered by one of the other categories. I suggest you make full use of all these facilities in order to keep your Group at the forefront of the www.dramagroups.com website. Also I notice that I haven’t got your Group’s website address nor do I have a logo for you. Each of these things will help to bring your Group to the attention of our visitors. If you do not have a website then I would recommend you set one up and advertise it in your show programmes. If a website is not possible then perhaps you should think of setting up a Facebook Group, which more and more groups are doing these days. I am thinking of setting up a Facebook Page for DramaGroups.com. I hope this helps. Do let me know if I can be of any further assistance. With your agreement I would like to post your email and this reply in our Advice column as there may be other Groups that find themselves in a similar position. Best Regards, Peter Would you like to comment on this? Click Here |
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Post 5 Recent Post from one of our readers Name: Jane email address? email Message? Where does one look for jobs in performing arts and dance for teaching, workshops, coaching, sessional job in the north west? Thanks Peter's response: Hi Jane, I'm afraid I can't really help you in finding a job in the performing arts. I suspect that there are thousands of others out there with exactly the same problem. The www.dramagroups.com website deals only with amateur groups and societies. Perhaps a look through the 'Stage' magazines would be beneficial? Take a look at our 'Links' page there may be some help in some of the listings. Do let me know how you get on or if I can help in any other way, Best Wishes, Peter Would you like to comment on this? Click Here |
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Post 4 Recent Post from one of our readers Name: anthony king email address? email Message? hello i am looking to get started in learning to act, and so far people have suggested a drama class or club. I live in Hartcliffe Bristol and would like to know which groups are around Bristol and that i might be able to join, i am 39 years old Peter's response: Hello Anthony, There are a number of Drama Groups or Societies listed on the 'Groups', 'Bristol' webpage on the www.dramagroups.com website. I suggest that you take a look at that page and make contact with some of the groups that attract your attention. Generally local amdrammers are very friendly people and even if their own Group is not quite what you're looking for I'm sure they'll go out of their way to help you find a Group that is suitable by suggesting other Groups that they know about. If my own experience is anything to go by any available man will be immediately snapped up by any Drama Group as men with an interest in drama seem to be in such short supply. Do let me know how your search goes, I'd be interested to hear and to publish your experience in the 'Advice' section of the website. Would you like to comment on this? Click Here |
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Post 3 Union Theatre, Solihull
Hi all, not quite sure I’m in the right place to ask this but here it goes... Union Theatre Solihull are putting on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in November. I need ideas on how I can create a convincing stone table that will crack/break and be reuseable, if that is possible. Posted on 04/08/2010 Would you like to comment on this? Click Here |
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Post 1 Recent Post from one of our readers Hey, my names ben, im 21/22 in june, for a while now I have been interested in theatre productions. one of my ambitions would be to star in theatre, unfortunately things havent gone to plan the way I wanted them to. would you please be able to send me some information, if any available oh how i could break myself into the theatre industry, any information at all would be greatly appreciated and hope to hear from you soon. many thanks. Ben Posted 22/04/2010 Peter's response: Hi Ben, Regrettably I'm not an expert in this field, if I were I think I'd be representing some up and coming stars instead of running this web site. My own thoughts are that if you are serious about breaking into theatre you should first of all get some experience. That could be by taking some drama courses or joining a local Drama Group or better still joining a touring company in whatever role that may be available even if it's back stage. You never know when a stand in might be needed. I think the thing is to immerse yourself in the theatre if you can. If you are already holding down a full time job in another industry then that's a problem because no doubt you will have financial commitments and won't find it easy to move yourself along. However, if you are really serious you will find a way to get experience. The other thing I would recommend is go to auditions whether that's for amateur groups or professional companies. Go along, give it a try and don't become despondent when you get rejected - it happens to everyone. The more you become involved the more visible you will be to those people that can help you move your career forward. Have courage, don't give up and believe in yourself. That's probably the best advice I can give you. Please keep in touch and let me know how your career progresses. If it's OK with you I might put your question and this answer up on the Drama Groups web site. Other people will be interested and might have some additional advice to give you. Please let me know if that's OK with you. Best Wishes Peter www.dramagroups.com Would you like to comment on this? Click Here |
